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On December 26, my grandfather of 89 years passed on. Below is the Obituary for his Funeral to take place on Friday of this week. Written by Carmel Bullard.

Who was Clyde Paul Marcano?

There are so many answers to this question because this unique human being wore numerous hats. He was a brother, uncle, cousin, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great grandfather, storyteller, comedian, proud estate owner, gardener, poultry farmer, tailor, road builder, and to his dying day patriarch of the Marcano family. He was the father of seven girls and three boys: Olivia, Jawanza, David, Florence, Marie, Jemima, Carmel, Joseph, Marcia, and Roxanne. He had thirty-six grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren and one great-great grand child.

Our Dad was born on January 15, 1920. He was the last of seven children born to Marie Lopez Marcano and Bartholomew Marcano. There were 3 boys Edward, George, and Dad, and 4 girls, Christiana (Chrissy), Robertine (Neez), Sylvanie (Vannie) and Mildred (Valley). Only Edward survives them. Dad grew up in a little tapir house. But he grew up in a home where his parents loved God and taught their children to work hard and respect everyone around them.

He was born and raised in the lush and beautiful Santa Cruz valley and lived there for most of his adult life. In later years he would emigrate to the US and lived there long enough to become a US citizen. He capitalized on his dual citizenship by travelling and living leisurely between Trinidad and the US for the last nine years.

Dad came from the days of the flambeau and fireside, the days when agriculture was central in the lives of many ordinary people. Those were the days when cocoa was king and much of Santa Cruz was an agricultural district covered in cocoa, coffee, and grapefruit fields. Dad’s pride and joy of ownership was the family estate at Cyril Bay passed down from his parents. Dad talked so many times about helping his father work on that estate. That’s where he also planted and harvested the food that we would eat and sell for a living.

Dad was in demand as a supplier of mangoes, oranges, gros michel bananas, cocoa, cloves and tonka beans to name a few products from the estate. It was also in Cyril Bay that Dad taught us to pick and dry cloves, (in that scary cocoa house) eat balata, swat mosquitoes, dodge the occasional macajuel or mapepire, and even learn how to throw a parlange down on the bay. It was where we also learned to dance the cocoa (and tonka beans). Dad was very creative on the estate. He ran a “bamboo pipeline” from a nearby spring to the cocoa house so we could we have water for cooking and drinking.

Our father always had a funny story to tell. One of his most famous characters is “Harry” whom according to Dad never like to bathe. Then there’s the famous character that was always borrowing ten dollars but never paying it back. He is also remembered for his many sayings and pearls of wisdom such as “I will help you with your burden. But I will NOT take over your burden.” But perhaps his most humorous story was about the old man who dressed up in a khaki shirt and blue pants to avoid “Basil” but got caught anyway.  Hmmm….

On December 31, 1944 our parents Clyde and Amy were united in holy matrimony. Shortly thereafter they became baptized members of the Santa Cruz Seventh-day Adventist church. Our Dad then served as a founding elder of this church for many years. After almost fifty-six years of marriage our dear mother Amy preceded Dad in death on March 14, 2000.

Dad was an extremely hard working man with a fiercely determined spirit, which he certainly imparted to his children. He was also very creative, as many of us can testify. He crafted the best board beds in our day.  He was proud of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

“While I can’t prove anything, this is what I think happened. Last Friday morning as he waited he and the Lord were having the best conversation and just walking as they talked. Finally the Lord said, “Clyde it’s closer to my house than it is to yours. Why don’t you just come on home with me? And in a split second, I think my father said yes and stepped into eternity.”

He departed this life on Friday, December 26, 2008.. In addition to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, he leaves behind to cherish his memories one brother Edward, favorite cousins Ortiz, Hildred and Greta, many nieces and nephews and his childhood friend Wiltshire Antoine. Dad now rests from his many years of labor. “Asleep in Jesus, peaceful rest. No mortal strife invades his breast.” He now awaits the call of the life giver. How about you? Will you be ready to meet Jesus today?

Dad, we thank you for your wisdom, love and strength. You will live on in our memories.